EDWARD R. KARSON

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Edward R. Karson, 82, of Chicago, a retired electrician for the City of Chicago, died Wednesday, Dec. 29, in Wynscape Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wheaton. Mr. Karson, who was born in Chicago, graduated from Tilden High School in 1935. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Mr. Karson was a machinist's mate second class and received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, among other decorations. Mr. Karson served in the Solomon Islands aboard several Navy ships and survived the sinking of the USS George F. Elliott, a transport ship, on Aug. 8, 1942. After the war, Mr. Karson worked as an electrician for a private contractor before taking a job with the city. "In his earlier days he was one of the men who helped put up the Prudential Building," said his daughter Caryn Spitzzeri. "I remember as a little girl standing on the street and he was up there attaching the Prudential Building sign." Mr. Karson also worked on the original McCormick Place building, his daughter said. In his later years, Mr. Karson worked at Chicago Water Department filtration plants, most recently at the Jardine Water Purification Plant near Navy Pier. Mr. Karson is also survived by a son, John; another daughter, Dawn Becker; and seven grandchildren. Prayers will be said at 9:30 a.m. Monday in Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard, followed by a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Alexander Catholic Church, 300 S. Cornell Ave., Villa Park.